by thesaffrongael

St John’s and Loughiel Camogs finish level once again

St John’s 2-05 Loughgiel 2-05 at Maltina Park, Carnlough

Match Report : Tracey Graham and Eamon McFadden

Pics by Humphrys Sports Photography

For the second time this season, St John’s and Loughgiel Shamrocks GAC could not be separated after another fiercely contested battle ended all square at Maltina Park.

Before throw-in, both teams and their supporters observed a minute’s silence in memory of John Taggart, who passed away recently. John was a huge supporter of St John’s and is greatly missed by everyone connected with the club 🙏🏻

Loughgiel made the perfect start when Anna McKillen found the net after four minutes, but St John’s responded through a Monique O’Boyle point before Rhianna McAuley struck a brilliant goal to put the girls ahead.

Monique added another point, while Nikki Black and Niamh Graham also raised white flags for St John’s. Róise McGarry registered Loughgiel’s opening point before Erin Connolly’s goal late in the half brought the sides level at the break.

Half-time: St John’s 1-04 | 2-01 Loughgiel

The heavens opened several times during the second half, but the difficult conditions only added to the drama as both teams fought for every ball.

Loughgiel moved three points ahead through Charley McCarry, Brianna McCloskey and another McCarry point. Both sides were guilty of squandering chances, although St John’s recorded substantially more wides and will perhaps feel they could have taken more from the game.

Erin Connolly added her side’s final point in the 58th minute, giving Loughgiel a four-point advantage as the game entered its closing stages.

However, St John’s refused to accept defeat. Monique O’Boyle fired home a crucial late goal to reduce the gap to a single point before holding her nerve to strike the equaliser deep into injury time.

A tough, physical championship battle that could have gone either way, with both teams showing tremendous determination in testing conditions.

Full-time: St John’s 2-05 | 2-05 Loughgiel

St John’s scorers:

Monique O’Boyle 1-03

Rhianna McAuley 1-00

Nikki Black 0-01

Niamh Graham 0-01

Loughgiel scorers:

Erin Connolly 1-01

Anna McKillen 1-00

Charley McCarry 0-02

Róise McGarry 0-01

Brianna McCloskey 0-01

For the second time this year, these two teams finished level at full-time. Well done to both sides on a gripping contest played in very difficult conditions.

Match Report : Tracey Graham and Eamon McFadden

David Humphrys Humphrys Sports Photography

by thesaffrongael

Ruairi Og through to U14 final

Antrim U14A Hurling Championship

Ruairí Óg 2-17 Loughgiel 1-06

Despite it being a busy Championship Saturday for both Cushendall and Loughgiel, a good crowd gathered at Páirc Mhuire for the 4pm throw-in, for this Under 14 semi-final, where Ruairí Óg produced a strong all-round performance to secure a convincing victory over Loughgiel.

Cushendall started brightly, with Ruairí McQuillan opening the scoring inside the first 30 seconds. Further points from Oscar Bradley, Lorcan McNaughton and Ruairí Delargy helped the home side establish an early lead.

Loughgiel continued to battle and a goal from Danny McMullan kept them within reach, but Ruairí Óg went into the break leading 0-11 to 1-03.

The Cushendall defence was strong throughout, with corner-backs Eoin Elliott and Finn McKeown both producing excellent performances. Sevie Trowlen also impressed, particularly with a strong second-half display.

Brothers Conor and Ruairí Delargy formed a very effective midfield partnership. They worked hard, won plenty of possession and contributed four points between them. They were made to work for everything by Noah McAuley and Danny McMullan, who enjoyed a good battle with the Delargy duo around the middle of the field.

Up front, Lorcan McNaughton, Oscar Bradley and Ruairí McQuillan all showed well. Francis Kinney-McNaughton struck two second-half goals, while Bradley finished with six points as Cushendall pulled clear to complete a strong team performance.

Loughgiel continued to work hard throughout. Brendan Murtagh covered plenty of ground during the first half before dropping deeper as the game progressed. Iarla Gillan at number 11 and Daire Kearney at number six were among their best performers. Ruairí Hennessy also put in a hard-working display, while Danny McMullan claimed his side’s goal.

The victory sees Cushendall progress to next Saturday’s U14 Championship final, where they will face Dunloy. Dunloy will go into the decider as favourites after recording a semi-final win over Ballycastle, but Ruairí Óg will take plenty of confidence from this strong performance as they prepare for the final.

Ruairí Óg scorers: Francis Kinney-McNaughton 2-00; Oscar Bradley 0-06; Lorcan McNaughton 0-04; Ruairí Delargy 0-03; Ruairí McQuillan 0-03; Conor Delargy 0-01.

Loughgiel scorers: Danny McMullan 1-00; Iarla Gillan 0-03; Daire Kearney, Ruairí Hennessy and Brendan Murtagh 0-01 each.

Ruairí Óg team

1 Pádraig Harris
2 Eoin Elliott
3 Odhrán McLaughlin
4 Finn McKeown
5 Conor O’Kane
6 Sevie Trowlen
7 Riley Steer
8 Ruairí Delargy
9 Conor Delargy
10 Oscar Bradley
11 Lorcan McNaughton
12 Ruairí McQuillan
13 Sean McKillop
14 Francis Kinney-McNaughton
15 Zac O’Brien
Subs
16 Pól O’Kane
17 Caolan Lynn
18 Keegan Mort
19 Hugh Óg McNeill
20 Eoghan McIlwaine
21 Louis Hughes.

Loughgiel team

1 Keegan Connolly
2 Conor Irvine
3 Kevin Gillan
4 Oisín McCaughan
5 Olly McConville
6 Daire Kearney
7 Matthew Barr-Laverty
8 Danny McMullan
9 Noah McAuley
11 Iarla Gillan
12 Ruairí Hennessy
13 Tom Quinn
14 Brendan Murtagh
Subs
16 Cormac Finlay
17 Archie McGarry
18 Rian McAuley
19 Lucca McCollum
20 Harry Gillan
21 Iollan McMahon

by thesaffrongael

St Paul’s keep knock-out hopes alive

McKeever Hotels Antrim Intermediate Championship

Conn Mag Aoidh 2-11 St Paul’s 3-13

Report by Aodh O’Loan – Pics by Dylan McIlwaine

Conn Mag Aoidh produced a battling performance against St Paul’s, who play a division above them, but ultimately came up five points short in a hard-fought encounter at Fr Maginn Park on Sunday.

The game was made particularly difficult from the outset when a very heavy shower swept across the pitch during the opening ten minutes, leaving underfoot conditions challenging for both sides for much of the contest. Despite this, both teams settled quickly, with St Paul’s opening the scoring before Cormac McKeown and Conleth O’Loan responded for Conn Mag Aoidh.

St Paul’s gradually established a narrow advantage during the opening exchanges, with Sean Og McLaren proving particularly influential from placed balls and open play. Conn Mag Aoidh remained firmly in touch, however, with McKeown converting frees and Rian Lennon and Caolan Lennon also getting on the scoresheet.

The key moment of the opening half came in the 28th minute, when Conn Mag Aoidh were awarded a penalty. Cormac McKeown confidently converted from the spot, giving Conn Mag Aoidh a valuable goal and keeping them within touching distance of their opponents.

The second half began with Conn Mag Aoidh holding a slight one point advantage over their opponents with McKeown again central to their scoring, adding further points from frees and play, while Conleth O’Loan also contributed.

St Paul’s, though, had the greater scoring return from play. Sean Og McLaren struck two goals, while Caolán O Duibhfhinn and Sean Munce also featured prominently on the scoreboard. St Paul’s lead was reduced by a late goal from Conleth O’Loan giving Conn Mag Aoidh hope, reducing the deficit to 22-17.

There was to be no final twist, however, and St Paul’s saw out the remaining exchanges to claim a 3-13 to 2-11 victory which keeps the Shaw’s Road men in the hunt for a knock-out place.

Despite the defeat, there was plenty of encouragement for Conn Mag Aoidh. To stay within five points of a team competing in the division above, particularly in such difficult conditions, demonstrated the resilience and competitive spirit of the Conn Mag Aoidh side. On another day, a little more efficiency at key moments could have made the outcome considerably closer.

by thesaffrongael

Creggan comeback seals Breslin Shield in Portglenone thriller

South West Antrim Under-16 B Football – Breslin Shield Final


Kickhams Creggan 2-13 St Joseph’s Glenavy 3-08
Portglenone

Kickhams Creggan produced a tremendous second-half fightback to edge St Joseph’s Glenavy by two points in a thrilling Breslin Shield final at Portglenone.

Glenavy appeared to have one hand on the trophy when Cormac Green finished a superb end-to-end move to the net three minutes into the second half, stretching their advantage to eight points. However, Creggan refused to buckle and, inspired by an outstanding performance from Conall Wilson, fought their way back into contention before late goals from Harry McKay and Ronan Maguire turned the final on its head.

It had been Glenavy who made the flying start. Jude Burke opened the scoring inside the first minute before Joseph Monaghan struck for the game’s opening goal just 30 seconds later.

Odhran Shannon-McLaughlin added a free in the sixth minute, and although the Creggan goalkeeper produced an excellent point-blank save soon afterwards, Shea Higham stretched Glenavy’s advantage with a point in the eighth minute.

Creggan had taken time to settle but Mark Óg McGrath finally opened their account with a good point from play before Michael Duffin followed with an excellent individual score.

Glenavy struck another major blow in the 18th minute. Creggan’s goalkeeper again did brilliantly to stop the initial effort, but Higham was on hand to finish the rebound to the net and leave St Joseph’s firmly in control.

The Kickhams responded impressively. McGrath converted a free, Harry McKay split the posts and Wilson added another as Creggan began eating into the deficit.

Reece Denver responded with two quick points for Glenavy, but Cillian McKenna and McKay kept Creggan in touch. Denver landed his third point shortly before the break, while Conan Devlin also produced an important goal-line clearance at the other end.

That left Glenavy 2-06 to 0-07 ahead at half-time, and the five-point margin reflected an opening half in which St Joseph’s had been the sharper side early on before Creggan gradually worked their way into the contest.

Glenavy then made the perfect start to the second period. A sweeping move began deep inside their own half and ended with Green driving the ball into the Creggan net after three minutes, opening up a commanding 3-06 to 0-07 advantage.

Instead of ending Creggan’s challenge, however, the goal sparked their best spell of the contest.

Wilson pointed in the seventh minute, McGrath followed in the eighth and McKenna added another a minute later. Wilson struck again almost immediately as Creggan pinned Glenavy inside their own half and rapidly reduced the deficit.

Conor Marley eventually relieved the pressure with Glenavy’s first point of the half in the 15th minute, but the momentum was now very much with the Kickhams.

The breakthrough they needed arrived in the 21st minute when Harry McKay found the Glenavy net. Denver replied with a point for St Joseph’s, but Creggan were not finished.

Four minutes later Ronan Maguire produced the score that transformed the contest, sending a long-range effort sailing into the top corner of the Glenavy net. Joe Connolly quickly followed with a point and suddenly a game Glenavy had appeared to control was slipping away.

There was still time for more drama. Creggan’s goalkeeper produced another brilliant point-blank save in the 31st minute to protect his team’s narrow advantage before Conall Wilson, outstanding throughout the second half, landed the final point in the 32nd minute.

Wilson’s performance earned him the man-of-the-match honours, but this was ultimately a victory built on Creggan’s refusal to accept defeat. Eight points behind immediately after Glenavy’s third goal, they outscored St Joseph’s 2-06 to 0-02 over the remainder of the contest to complete a memorable comeback and claim the Breslin Shield.

Creggan scorers: Harry McKay 1-2, Ronan Maguire 1-0, Conall Wilson 0-3, Mark Óg McGrath 0-3 (1 free), Cillian McKenna 0-2, Michael Duffin 0-1, Joe Connolly 0-1.

Glenavy scorers: Shea Higham 1-1, Joseph Monaghan 1-0, Cormac Green 1-0, Reece Denver 0-4, Jude Burke 0-1, Odhran Shannon-McLaughlin 0-1 (free), Conor Marley 0-1.

TO SEE MORE OF BERT’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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by thesaffrongael

Goal-hungry Dunloy hold off Aldergrove to lift Breslin Cup

South West Antrim Under-16 Football – Breslin Cup Final
Cúchullains Dunloy 3-10 Naomh Séamas Aldergrove 0-17
Portglenone

Three first-half goals and a superb display from their goalkeeper Ciaran O’Brien helped Cúchullains Dunloy edge out Naomh Séamas Aldergrove in a thrilling Breslin Cup final at Portglenone.

Only two points separated the teams at the finish, with Aldergrove producing a determined second-half fightback. However, they could not find the goal they needed as O’Brien made a series of outstanding saves to protect Dunloy’s slender advantage.

Aldergrove began brightly, with Eoin McGrady opening the scoring from play after only a minute. They continued to apply pressure and added another point after O’Brien had made his first point-blank save before McGrady converted a 45 to extend their early advantage.

Ciaran O’Brien who made a string of good saves in the Dunloy goal.

Sean Kelly pointed a free in the sixth minute, but Dunloy finally got off the mark when Dylan McTague converted a placed ball two minutes later.

A well-worked Aldergrove move ended with Kelly splitting the posts, but the character of the contest changed dramatically moments later. Dunloy’s Lorcan Martin collected possession deep inside his own half and set off on a magnificent solo run through the Aldergrove defence before finishing emphatically to the net.

That outstanding individual effort brought Dunloy right back into contention and, two minutes later, Harry Blaney finished another flowing attack with their second goal.

Oisín O’Brien then landed a two-pointer from play to put the Cúchullains firmly in control. Kelly responded with another Aldergrove free, but Blaney and O’Brien added further points as Dunloy began to take a grip on proceedings.

Aldergrove refused to let their opponents pull clear. Ethan Martin landed an excellent point under severe pressure before Cillian Baker and Cian Bell also found the target. O’Brien was called upon again in the Dunloy goal, producing another excellent stop and later palming McGrady’s goal-bound effort over the crossbar.

Dunloy struck for their third goal in the 28th minute when Roan Neenan forced the ball home following a scramble around the Aldergrove goal. A late Aldergrove free left Dunloy leading by 3-05 to 0-10 at the interval.

Aldergrove resumed with real purpose and two early frees from Kelly reduced the deficit. Oisín O’Brien replied from a placed ball for Dunloy before Neenan landed an excellent point while under heavy pressure.

Baker kept Aldergrove in touch with a point from play, while their goalkeeper also made a vital point-blank save from Ronan Elliott, diverting the shot over the bar rather than allowing Dunloy to claim a fourth goal.

As the second half progressed, Aldergrove continued to close the gap. Kelly remained accurate from frees, while another brilliant intervention from Ciaran O’Brien denied them a potentially decisive goal, although the rebound was sent over the bar.

Neenan’s second point of the half gave Dunloy some much-needed breathing space with time running out, and Oisín O’Brien added another from a free on the half-hour mark.

Aldergrove refused to accept defeat, and two late Kelly frees brought them back to within two points. However, Dunloy held firm through the closing moments to secure a memorable 3-10 to 0-17 victory.

Aldergrove’s second-half performance ensured a tense finish, but Dunloy’s greater goal threat and the heroics of Ciaran O’Brien ultimately proved decisive as the Cúchullains were crowned Breslin Cup champions.

Cúchullains Dunloy: 1 Ciaran O’Brien, 2 Tiernan O’Reilly, 3 Anraí Burnett, 4 Noah Bradley, 5 Peadar Doherty, 6 Aaron Richmond, 7 Blaine Mullan, 8 Ethan Guiney, 9 Lorcan Martin, 10 Pearson McMullan, 11 Oisín O’Brien, 12 Harry Blaney, 13 Rónán Elliott, 14 Dylan McTague, 15 Roan Neenan.

Naomh Séamas Aldergrove: 1 Brendan Maguire, 2 Jack Savage, 3 Noah Anderson, 4 Noah Mulholland, 5 Ethan Martin, 6 Ollie McVeigh, 7 Cillian Baker, 8 Eoin McGrady, 9 Caelan Mallon, 10 Cian Bell, 11 Sean Kelly, 12 Rhys Condie, 13 Jack Corrigan, 14 Cormac Brown, 15 Lorcán Higgins.

TO SEE MORE OF BERT’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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